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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
Ahron’s great talent was making peace between people who were at odds with one other. He was able to succeed at this because he, like Moshe, was extremely humble and did not consider himself better than anyone else. This is exemplified by his immediate, selfless acceptance of Moshe, his younger brother, as leader of the nation.
The protective clouds provided in his honor are called Ananei HaKavod; literally, clouds of honor. By teaching others to honor their fellow man, he was instrumental in creating a beautiful, holy environment that was loved and safeguarded by G-d. (Note that Rabbi Akiva’s students died for not giving kavod to one other).
But when Ahron died, this great role model of bein adam l’chavero (good relations between people) was gone, & the people’s respect for each other went into decline. This led to arguments, strife & machloket - and eventually it led us into war. As such, our Parsha sadly but perfectly fits into the pattern of dissension that runs through the complainers of parshat Bha’alotcha, the slanderous spies of Shlach-Lecha and the rebellion of Korach.
The lesson here is all-too obvious. Post-election of a new Prime Minister, there has been an extremely dangerous outbreak of Jew vs. Jew disrespect. The fact that we argue with each other is not necessarily or inherently destructive. After all, the Gemara is all about argument & the staking out of different positions, in order to arrive at the ultimate Truth. That’s fine; the real question we must ask ourselves is, how do we argue with each other?
Do we honor & give credence to others’ position by politely letting them say their piece, or do we dismiss it out of hand, screaming epithets & curses? Do we accept that there may be more than one way of looking at things – that we might even be wrong! – or, do we arrogantly insist that ours is the only opinion worth considering?
The Sages tell us that the reason Jewish law generally follows Bet Hillel & not Bet Shammai is that Bet Hillel always patiently considered & articulated, the views of Bet Shammai before going on to express its own. It was truly a Torat Ahron, an approach worthy of Ahron, and one we should diligently pursue today, before it’s too late.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
